Shirayuki Konishi Shuzō Junmai Nigorizake

This was our second tasting of Konishi's nigorizake, which confirmed our first impression. The sake opens smoothly, with a soft, silky texture. The palate is gently sweet but well balanced by a light citrus acidity and a pleasant umami note. Despite its SMV of –16, it remains lively and refreshing. The finish is clean, with a faint creaminess. While usually served chilled, it also showed good balance and flavour at room temperature. This time, we have improved our rating.

It is sweet on the nose and has a cloudy, milky appearance. It opens smooth and soft, with a silky mouthfeel and full body. The sweetness is well-balanced by moderate acidity and a pronounced umami depth. Since it contains rice solids, it should be gently swirled, not shaken, before opening. These solids tend to settle at the bottom, creating a thicker, more flavourful pour toward the end. Finishes clean and creamy. With a profile reminiscent of Korean makgeolli, it also drinks well over ice. Pairs nicely with bold or spicy dishes, including Korean cuisine, grilled meats, and kabayaki eel. A satisfying choice for nigori enthusiasts—refreshing and not overly sweet. We especially enjoyed it on the rocks.

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Appearance: medium lees, colourless, off-white
Nose: clean and medium
Aroma: sweet
Sweetness: slightly dry
Acidity: medium
Umami: medium
Alcohol: low
Body: full
Flavour intensity: medium
Flavour characteristics: slightly dry
Texture: silky
Finish: medium, clean
Quality level: good